Boyce sorry after admitting 'pilot' charge

By Alastair Bull, NZ Newswire Updated May 16, 2012, 7:20 pm

Comedian Ben Boyce has apologised again for a fake pilot stunt after admitting a court charge over the incident.

Boyce, Andrew Robinson, Bryce Casey, Craig O'Reilly, Daniel Watkins and Gregory Clarke each admitted a charge of providing false information in an attempt to gain access to a secure area under the Civil Aviation Act.

The charge was laid after Casey, dressed as a pilot, tried to gain entry past security at Auckland Airport domestic terminal's regional entry as part of a skit for the Wanna-Ben comedy TV show.

The incident happened in mid-September 2011 as security in New Zealand was heightened during the Rugby World Cup.

The six had previously made not guilty pleas but changed their pleas at Manukau District Court on Wednesday.

The guilty pleas came after a legal hearing which the law prevents NZ Newswire from reporting on.

Boyce, the producer and main on-screen presence in Wanna-Ben, did not wish to comment after the hearing, other than to reiterate an apology he issued shortly after the incident.

O'Reilly, Clarke and Watkins were each discharged without conviction and asked to pay 250 by Judge Gus Andre Wiltens.

The discharge without conviction means they won't have criminal records against their name.

Boyce, Robinson and Casey will have their sentences finalised on July 24.

All parties agreed to an order to destroy any footage shot as part of the stunt.

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